First trip to Africa, pointers?

[Jon P]

I would have ‘thought’ it would be fine but it’s not great if you’re turning up and already on the back foot.

I wouldn’t have thought there was much difference between that and the .30-06 which seems popular enough.


Biggest thing for me over there would be range. 250m is fine. Beyond that I start to feel less comfortable. Possibly some range time but id rather try and get closer.

I have been out there twice , we stated from the off that we would not shoot anything from the vehicle and nothing over 300 yds, my longest shot was at 308 yds for this springbok that dropped on the spot, 11 inch bullet drop on my 300 win Mag . a good PH will get you into a comfortable position to take the stress out of things.

Definitely need to check your bullet drop at specific ranges though.

 

[sh1kar]

If you are shooting game on Safari at 250m/273 yards, you have either booked with the wrong Outfitter or it has all gone terribly wrong.

Generally agree but depends on terrain and species You would do extremely well to get under 200m on Puku on the Luangwa flats. Similarly Grey Rhebok in some areas - bit like Chamois shooting

 

[sh1kar]

Not where we hunted on the Limpopo - Botswana border …. You were lucky to see 100 metres!

Yep hunted a few times up there. Near Ellisras. Rarely could you see the whole animal you were shooting at

S

 

[Selous]

Yep hunted a few times up there. Near Ellisras. Rarely could you see the whole animal you were shooting at

S

Yes, that’s the place but renamed Lephalale for some reason. Had a great trip Without a doubt you can get in some situations where long range shooting is possible in some areas and with some game

 

[zambezi]

Is there any more quirky things to ask that might be easily forgotten?

(1) Malaria-free vs malarial area. In South Africa, the Eastern Cape is malaria-free whereas the Limpopo is not. Have you taken anti-malarial drugs before? Some drugs are easier to live with than others. Some folk really battle with some formulations like Lariam. Personally I use Doxycycline, but those of a fairer skin might avoid that because of enhanced risk of UV damage to skin. What you do not want is for your whole trip to be marred by a poorly tolerated medication.

(2) Time of year can make a big difference in a myriad ways: generally the peak hunting season in sub-saharan Africa is the dry season when:

• vegetation is thinner, visibility better
• temperatures lower and more comfortable for northern hemisphere tourists
• more predictable animal movements to the relatively fewer perenially available water sources

But this period is often the most expensive too. If you can abide high temperatures, and want the challenge of a difficult hunt in thicker vegetation, then broker a package in the hotter months. Some of my most memorable trips have been in January.


(3) Gaiters. I am sure they have been mentioned before, but do not underestimate their benefit. A set of ankle-gaiters prevents an exciting days hike/hunt turning into an ordeal with burr-filled boots. My best recommendation:

 

[Heym SR20]

Most has already been said, but give yourself plenty of time either side of the hunting. Africa is not the cheapest of destinations to get to and give yourself some time to recover from flights etc. and time to reflect after the hunt before you get back to civilisation.

 

[zambezi]

Hydration and Dioralyte:

The PHs will be pretty good about keeping a cooler box in the nearby 'cruiser well stocked with food and drink. But if you get into a longer day away from vehicles, having your own water in a 2L Camelbak or similar eases dehydration discomfort and aids performance.

And if you have multiple back-to-back long-trek days, you will lose electrolytes. I have twice had severe cramping around day 6 or 7 after multiple hot [40℃] and high-km days. Dioralyte sachets taken prophylactically the night before worked a treat.

 

[sh1kar]

If I had to give one bit of advice over everything else. Make the first shot count. If you aren’t certain. Don’t shoot. Wounded PG and DG goes for miles. They are v v tough animals. You will witness and learn some amazing tracking skills you can bring here but best not
S

 

[wildfowler.250]

Some excellent advice guys! Appreciate a lot of the shot stuff and ranges is similar to anywhere in as much as , be comfortable and there’s always another day if not.


How far ahead do folk normally look to book? I’d messaged one outfitter the other day and 2025 was full!

 

[zambezi]

How far ahead do folk normally look to book?

How much notice do you need to drop what you are doing and take up a cancellation at short notice?

Trips planned into the future are nice to savour in anticipation, but there can be jeopardy: personal circumstances including health can change whilst the calendar counts down.

Coming up quite often on the hunting forums are last minute availability due to cancellations. Sometimes these are circulated via email, so get on mailing lists too. [I benefitted from European traveller cancellations in recent years]

Also, some less-well-known outfits may have shorter waiting lists. How "big" does your first trip need to be? [Once you have been once, you will return...]

 

[Jakebarr22]

Realistically when are you looking to go?
With more hunters, or yourself or with family etc, what animals do you fancy?
Cull or trophy animals?

 

[tusker]

Some excellent advice guys! Appreciate a lot of the shot stuff and ranges is similar to anywhere in as much as , be comfortable and there’s always another day if not.


How far ahead do folk normally look to book? I’d messaged one outfitter the other day and 2025 was full!

I always book 1 year in advance. Then we have good time to find flights.
Tusker

 

[zambezi]

Not a typical tourist video, but the cinematography gives a great taste for the land. In this case, KZN Drakensberg:

 

[Heym SR20]

Hydration and Dioralyte:

The PHs will be pretty good about keeping a cooler box in the nearby 'cruiser well stocked with food and drink. But if you get into a longer day away from vehicles, having your own water in a 2L Camelbak or similar eases dehydration discomfort and aids performance.

And if you have multiple back-to-back long-trek days, you will lose electrolytes. I have twice had severe cramping around day 6 or 7 after multiple hot [40℃] and high-km days. Dioralyte sachets taken prophylactically the night before worked a treat.

And if you can’t get dioryltes (they taste foul anyhow) coca cola has a good number of sugars and other electrolyte. About 1/4 coke and the water or fizzy water with a punch of salt is very good alternative for rehydration.

You can find coke in sealed bottles or cans just about anywhere in Africa (or you certainly could) and sealed bottled water is also widely available.

 

[stevec]

SIS salt tablets were recommend to me. I forgot to pack them though. My wife got badly dehydrated when we were fishing one day and I am convinced the large quantities of very salty biltong I ate and the two bottles of beer every evening helped me, as did the after lunch Sparletta soda, all of which she did not join in.

Strange thing was that neither of us actually felt thirsty.

 

[Dorsettaff]

We've recently come back from a trip to SA. Took a friend for his first experience of plains game. Would agree with all the comments above. Yes its fenced but when you have 30,000 acres to explore there is more than enough bush country to hunt across. Whilst we drove to various areas we walked miles each day to get into the various groups we needed to shoot.

We took a management package with Huntershill Safaris who have three game ranches in the Eastern Cape. We took blue & black wildebeest, impala, blesbuck, warthog and springbuck. They are doing a very good deal at the moment (at the Stalking Show a couple of weeks ago) that wont break the bank.

Took our own rifles via Virgin. Took a 9.3 and .30-06 which dropped everything it needed to.

Overall a wonderful trip with great PHs and trackers. Fed and "watered" like Kings!

Would I go back............Not half !!!!

 

[Basil H]

Just looked for their website over the morning roibos and it seems to have been hacked by advertising - perhaps inform them ?